Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-03-18
LAID AWAY.
Thousands Attend tho Funeral of Henry
Ward Beecher.

Thousands Attend tho Funeral of Henry
Ward Beecher.
The funeral services for Henry Ward
Beecher were he a in Brooklyn on the 18th
inst The public offices were closed bust
ness was entirely suspended and memoir al
services were held in large number OF
churches in the vicinity Of Plymouth
church. As early rs seven O'Clock the
streets were thronged with people hurry
ing in the direction OF Plymouth church.
Lines OF police were stationed at the ends
of the block on which the church Is stu
ated and no ono was allowed TO pass
through the lines unless he had a ticket.
The side streets We're packed with poop o
who hung around hoping that they might
De able To get in without ticket.
While the vast crowd OF people were
gathering outside of the church the lady
members OF the congregation were dress
ing the pulpit and casket with flowers.
The whole interior was turned into "A per
feet Hover garden and the fragrant per-
fume OF the roses pervaded the air. Tho
walls, galleries and organ were covered
with eversreenS, palms and Gala lilies.
The reading desk was covered with roses
and vines as was also the chair in which
Mr.. Beecher sat for so many years. In the
center of the organ loft was n floral em-
bem in the shape OF a triangle on the top
of which were perched two white doves
with white ribbons in their hi L. The ia
cade of the gallery was covered with pot
ted plants The pulpit was loaded down
with flowers and floral emhlems sent by
friends and different organizations. The
Cusket was placed on cat1talque OF white
roses. white carnations and smilax direct
" in front of the reading desk The casket
was covered with lilies OF the valley, Gu
charts roses smilaX, maiden hair ferns,
tube roses and French moss Not a vestige
Of the black cloth covering OF the caSket
could he seen. There was nothing to indi-
cate the presence OF death. The church
had more the appearance of wedding
than funeral.
The doors Of the church were thrown
open about 10 o'clock. Mr.. Beecher's fami-
~ were not pre- ,ent, and hi, pew was ii led
with flowers. Mrs. Beecher was in the
church for n few moments before the doors
were opened, but LEFT with her sons before
the crowd entered.
After music Rev Or Hall read the OPEN
ing sentence of the Protestant Epi. copal
burial services, At the clio q OF the lesson,
DIR. Hall delivered his Grafton, and dtring
its delivery there was not dry eve in the
house. In closing his sermon DR. Hail
said:
A brave and weary heart is here at rest /;
brave of oil 10 dare brutal force and defy
the violence of mobs and ruiiians in speak
ing for the slave; brave to accept the muir
murs and doubts OF his political friends
when conscience prompted 20 part from
them; bravest TO wreStle alone with a
great sorrOw when he could find no earth
~ help We honor him for the courage
of his former acts. we love him and won
der at him for the calm sweet, gentle
resignation If these last wears God be-
lieve. has led him step 10y step 10 sIen his
last DAYS among Us with n wisdom gained
from the cross "A tender, gentle, soberer
wisdom, which helped him to Zee the Cap
tain of our salvation who was mad per-
feet through suffering that We may all 10
Of one and the great sufferer not ashamed
10 cal us brethren.
On his last Sunday evening in this place,
two weeks ago after the congregation had
retired from IT. the organist and one or
two Others were practicing the hymn:
Heard the voice of Jesus say
Come unto Me and rest -
Mr.. Bee her, doubtless with that tire
that follows n pastors Sunday work. re.
manned and listened. Two street urchins
were prompted to wandSr into the build
ing and one OF them wax standing in the
position of the boy whom Rafael has m
mortaliIcd gazing up at the organ. i he
old man, LAYING his hand on the boys head,
turned his face upward and kissed him,
and. with his arm about the two, lett this
scene OF his trlumphS, his trials and his
successes forever II was fitting close to
n grand life. the old man OF genius and
fame shielding the little wanderers. great
in bre,ting traditional ways and IRE JUDGES,
great also IN the gesture, so like him that
recognized. rs did the Master, that the
lullblfSl anu the pboIf~N were his iltin-
rem the great preacher led out INTO tho
night by the little name ess waits But we
bid him here farewell: and to me oftcnest
will come the vision Of his passing out Of
yonder door with his arms about the boys,
passing on 10 the city of God where he
hears again the familiar voice Of The
Master saying. "Of such Is the kingdom Of
Ectven -
DR. Hall pronounced the benediction and
the vast audience slowly filed out OF the
church.
After the conclusion OF the services It
the Plymouth church the public was ad
mitted to view the body. I'm a short time
the line extended for two blocks. and two
hours after the doors were thrown open
the line was nearly n quarter OF n mile
long.
The other churches in which services
we're held were all crowded 20 the utmost
extent of their capacity. II j. e>timst Il
that fully 210n people attended -erNi in
the Vaious churches and fully twice that
number were gathered in the streets in
the neighLorhood of Plymouth church